Unemployed cannot bear brunt of slowdown
26 Aug 2001
" The threat of unemployment has unfortunately become a lot more real for Irish workers in the past few months. However, the reality of trying to cope on unemployment payments is very far removed from most people's experiences." according to INOU General Secretary Tony Monks.
While the majority of economic commentators are advising a moderate Budget in December, the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed has stressed that this must not happen at the expense of those most in need of a real and substantial increase, the unemployed.
"Not all those who have recently become unemployed will find it easy to get new work quickly. Those unfortunate enough to have to rely on social welfare payments are in serious risk of living in poverty. Before unemployment began it's slow creep back up the political agenda, the Government had committed to increasing all welfare payments in real terms. The slowdown in the economy and the restraints this may place on budgetary policy cannot be borne by those either long-term or recently unemployed."
Each of the four budget's delivered by Minister McCreevey has disproportionately benefited high paid workers. Last year's Budget increase in basic social welfare payments was £8, which the INOU described as 'the absolute minimum required' to meet the Partnership agreement target of £100 p/week by Budget 2003. The Government also came in for strong criticism in the previous Budget where the £4 increase in welfare payments was subsequently completely wiped out by inflation.
ENDS
Current Weekly Payments
Unemployment Assistance
(means tested)
£84.00
Qualified Adult Rate
£54.00
Child Dependent
£13.20
Family with 2 children both adults not working
£164.40
For further information contact:
Tony Monks, General Secretary 01 856 0088 / 087 249 6066
Noeleen Hartigan, Press Officer 01 856 0088 / 087 61 67689
